Muamba showing improvement

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba " is continuing to show signs of improvement" according to a statement from the London Chest Hospital, where he has been treated since collapsing on the pitch during an FA Cup match against Tottenham on Saturday night.

After suffering a cardiac arrest, Muamba was taken to the hospital and medical staff were able to restore his heartbeat. There remains no certainty about a long-term prognosis, but appears to be more cause for optimism about his immediate recovery.

"Fabrice Muamba remains in intensive care at The London Chest Hospital," a statement from the hospital read. "He is continuing to show signs of improvement this evening.

"He is currently able to breathe independently without the aid of a ventilator. He has also been able to recognise family members and respond to questions appropriately.

"These are all positive signs of progress. However, his condition remains serious and our medical staff in intensive care will continue to monitor and treat him. His family and club would like to thank the media for continuing to respect
their privacy at this time."

Muamba's fiancee, writing under the name Shauna Muamba on Twitter, earlier wrote: "God is in control. Please keep @fmuamba in ur prayers xx. Please keep praying for @fmuamba its really helping I can feel it xx."

She later posted: "For all your messages of love thank u so much. Where there is life there is hope xx"

Bolton captain Kevin Davies had explained on Monday morning that the club are hopeful of knowing more later in the day.

"It's been a difficult time for everybody at the club and everybody involved in football. It's so tragic for something like that to happen and we're hopeful that he can pull through," Davies told Sky Sports News. "I'd like to say on behalf of his family and everyone at the club a big thank you to everybody, obviously the paramedics and all the medical staff.

"I went back afterwards with the manager and the doctors and the amount of people and doctors who were running around and trying to get Fab sorted out was amazing and we're all thankful to them that they've given Fabrice a bit of hope.

"It's traumatic and there have been sleepless nights after what we saw on the pitch. I've been in constant contact with the manager and the doctor, I was asked to keep informed so I can let the players and the friends and family know what the situation is. You're half expecting the phone to ring with what we saw, but Fabrice is fighting and we're all holding out and hoping he can pull through.

"I spoke to the manager this morning and the doctor, and he remains in a critical condition. There's no change there. We're hopeful that later today we'll have a bit more information."

Meanwhile, Blackburn manager Steve Kean has said he would be happy to postpone his side's game at Bolton this weekend.

"Whatever we have to do we would only respect what Bolton want us to do next weekend," he said on Monday. "We hope he makes a full recovery but if they need a little bit more time and the game doesn't go ahead then we would respect that from Bolton's point of
view."

Kean added: "Everyone is taking advice from the hospital and experts in that we are hoping for progress in 24/48 hours and I know we are getting close to that point.

"We will respect everything that has to be done to facilitate a full recovery not only for Fabrice but his team-mates who could quite possibly be in a difficult position.

"We will get in communication (with Bolton). I am sure our directors will speak with theirs and I will speak to Owen (Coyle) myself later. We will communicate today and do the right thing."